To start a cottage food business in Michigan, you confirm your product is non-perishable, label it with the required MDARD statement, and start selling — there's no license and no inspection, and a 2026 update doubled the cap to $50,000 and finally legalized online sales within the state. This is the step-by-step playbook; for the full legal detail, see our Michigan cottage food law guide.

The short version: Michigan's cottage food law requires no license or registration — you can start from your home kitchen today. A 2026 change raised the cap from $25,000 to $50,000 per person (or $75,000 if every product is priced at $250+ per unit), with inflation adjustments beginning October 1, 2026, and it authorized online and mail-order sales to Michigan customers for the first time. You're limited to shelf-stable foods sold directly to consumers, and every label must include the "not inspected by MDARD" statement. Confirm your product, label it, and start this week.

How Do You Start a Cottage Food Business in Michigan? (Step by Step)

1. Confirm your product is non-perishable. Michigan covers shelf-stable (non-TCS) foods only. Check yours in our Michigan cottage food law guide.
2. No license or registration needed — you can start immediately. (Optional: register with the MSU Product Center to use a registration number instead of your home address.)
3. Set up safe home production. No inspection is required, but follow good food-safety practices.
4. Label every product with your name and address (or MSU registration number), ingredients, allergens, net weight, and "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development."
5. Choose how you'll sell — directly to consumers in person and, since 2026, online and by mail order to Michigan customers.
6. Make your first sale and track gross sales toward the $50,000 cap.

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Cottage Food Business in Michigan?

Michigan is cheap to start because there's no license fee:

• License / registration: $0 (none required; MSU Product Center registration is optional)
• Labels and packaging: $20–$100 to start
• First batch of ingredients: $30–$150
• Optional food-safety course: $10–$15 (good practice, not required)
• Online storefront: $10/month with Homegrown (0% commission)

Most Michigan sellers start for under $150.

How Long Does It Take to Start in Michigan?

You can legally start the same day — there's nothing to apply for. The realistic timeline:

• Day 1: Confirm your product, design your label, buy packaging.
• Day 2–3: Make your first batch, photograph products, set up a storefront.
• Day 4+: Take your first orders, in person or online.

The optional MSU Product Center registration is quick and mainly for label privacy.

What Can You Sell as a Michigan Cottage Food Business?

Michigan allows non-perishable foods: breads, cookies, cakes (no refrigerated fillings), jams, jellies, preserves, candies, dry and baking mixes, granola, popcorn, and dried foods. Anything needing refrigeration is off-limits. The full allowed/prohibited lists and labeling rules are in our Michigan cottage food law guide and cottage food labeling guide.

Where Can You Sell in Michigan?

The 2026 update expanded Michigan's channels:

• Directly to customers in person and from home
• At farmers markets, fairs, and events
• Online and by mail order to Michigan customers (new since 2026)
• Roadside stands and farm markets

Because Michigan now allows online and mail-order sales, a real storefront makes a big difference — you can take orders, payments, and pickup or shipping in one place. Homegrown gives Michigan cottage food sellers an online storefront with built-in payments for $10/month at 0% commission — you keep every dollar except standard card processing. Start a free trial and have a Michigan-ready storefront live in about 15 minutes.

How Much Can You Make Selling Cottage Food in Michigan?

The cap is $50,000 per person (or $75,000 if every product is priced at $250+ per unit), rising with inflation from October 1, 2026. To get the most out of it:

• Use online sales — the 2026 change lets you reach customers across Michigan, not just locally.
• Price for profit — cover ingredients, packaging, your time, and card processing, then add margin.
• Consider the $75,000 tier — if your products are premium ($250+/unit), the higher cap applies.
• Build repeat buyers — weekly pickup, pre-orders, and seasonal boxes make income steady.
• Track gross sales against the cap.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Starting in Michigan?

• Selling perishable foods — Michigan cottage food must be shelf-stable.
• Shipping out of state — online and mail-order sales must be to Michigan customers.
• Using outdated info — guides citing a $25,000 cap or "no online sales" predate the 2026 update.
• Missing the label statement — the "not inspected by MDARD" line is mandatory.
• Underpricing — new sellers often forget to pay themselves; cost out your time.

Do You Need an LLC or to Worry About Taxes in Michigan?

Starting a cottage food business doesn't require an LLC, but it's worth understanding the basics: see whether you need an LLC to sell food from home and how cottage food taxes work on Schedule C. In Michigan you may also need to register for sales tax with the Department of Treasury depending on what you sell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to start a cottage food business in Michigan?

No. Michigan requires no license, registration, or inspection. Registering with the MSU Product Center is optional and mainly lets you use a registration number instead of your home address on labels.

How much does it cost to start a cottage food business in Michigan?

Often under $150 — there's no license fee, so your main costs are labels, packaging, and ingredients. An online storefront adds $10/month.

How much can you make selling cottage food in Michigan?

$50,000 per person per year as of the 2026 update — or $75,000 if every product is priced at $250 or more per unit, with inflation adjustments from October 1, 2026.

What can you sell as a Michigan cottage food business?

Non-perishable foods: breads, cookies, cakes, jams, candies, dry mixes, granola, and dried foods. Refrigerated items are prohibited.

Can you sell cottage food online in Michigan?

Yes — as of the 2026 update, online and mail-order sales to Michigan customers are allowed for the first time.

How long does it take to start in Michigan?

You can start the same day — there's nothing to apply for.

Do you need an LLC to sell food from home in Michigan?

No. Most sellers start as sole proprietors. An LLC is optional and mainly about liability protection if you scale.

Start Your Michigan Cottage Food Business

Michigan just got better for home food businesses: no license, a doubled $50,000 cap, and legal online sales. Confirm your product, label it correctly, and set up an easy way for customers to order and pay. Set up a Homegrown storefront to take Michigan cottage food orders online, see the best platform to sell food from home, read the full Michigan cottage food law, and compare other states on our cottage food laws by state hub.

*This guide is general information, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change — verify current requirements with Michigan MDARD before you start selling. Last verified: June 2026.*

Selling at farmers markets? See our Michigan farmers market vendor permit guide for the permits you need on market day.